Earlier
this year Caithness lost a quiet, unassuming family man who was held in
great esteem as a proactive and highly knowledgeable archaeologist. An
engineer to trade, Paul Humphreys saw his retirement from his role as
a Shift Manager at the Dounreay Prototype Fast Reactor as a great opportunity.
He set about developing a 'second career' as an archaeologist with an
infectious passion that inspired and encouraged others.

Over the years Paul
acquired and developed a depth of knowledge of the archaeology of the
Highlands, and Caithness in particular, which was unrivalled. As friends
recently remarked, if there was archaeological activity happening anywhere
in the Highlands Paul would be there, either wielding a trowel or offering
advice and guidance, and usually both. He was a stalwart supporter and
advisor to the archaeological activities and projects undertaken by Castletown
Heritage Society

Prior to his passing,
Paul expressed a wish that his collection of reference and technical archaeological
books be donated to the Caithness
Archaeological Trust (CAT) such that they may available to support
the development of both individuals and the general knowedge and understanding
of the archaeology in the area. Paul was keen that the books be accessible
to all. Following discussion between Paul's family, CAT and Castletown
Heritage Society, CHS agreed to set aside space in the Archive Room in
Castlehill Heritage Centre to create a reference library, where the books
could be displayed, accessed and managed in a secure manner.

The
work to catalogue the books and create the reference library is now complete,
with book shelving (to Paul's detail specification), lighting, power,
wifi access and desk space installed by CHS volunteer members. The new
facility was dedicated to Paul's memory at a sometimes emotional ceremony
and reception held on Saturday 19 November, attended by Paul's family
and a host of friends. After eulogies and anecdotes were shared by representatives
of the organisations Paul was closely associated with the library was
formally opened by Paul's two grandchildren, Chloe and Jason.

Chloe and
Jason cut the ribbon to open the Paul Humphreys Memorial
Library

Desk space,
power for laptops and wifi are available to support browing
of the books

Stories
shared

Tasty snacks

Paul's immediate
family. His wife, Mary Humphreys is in the centre

Paul (yellow
coat) in action during the CHS Bronze Age project in 2015

The
Paul Humphreys Memorial Library may be accessed during normal opening
hours of Castlehill Heritage Centre (2-4pm every Wednesday, Saturday and
Sunday), on Monday evenings from 7-9pm and other times by special arrangement.
The books may not be removed from the premises.

If you
are interested in learning more about the Paul Humphreys Memorial Library
or participating in archaeological projects run by Castlehill Heritage
Society, please contact us HERE.

Dateline: Monday
15 August 2016

Drystone
Wallers visit Castlehill

Drystone wallers
from all over the British Isles recently took part in Northstone 58 degrees,
a drystone walling festival in Caithness celebrating the skills and techniques
of this ancient craft. A visit to Castlehill Heritage Centre was a key
part of their busy schedule where they viewed the exhibition on the local
19th century flagstone industry and had a well earned snack.

Afterwards
they were treated to a different view of Castlehill harbour which built
to export locally worked flagstone all over the world. The Wick inshore
rowing club brought along their skiff and offered visitors the chance
to take an oar and see the harbour close up as they slipped through the
harbour mouth and into the bay. By all accounts it was one of the festival’s
highlights.

The Wick club is
keen to offer the people of Castletown the chance to build their own rowing
boat and join many other coastal villages who have done that. If
you are interested in learning more about building your own boat, please
contact us HERE.

Dateline: Friday
20 May 2016

Wedding
Bliss!

Castletown
Heritage Society was delighted to be asked host the wedding of Catherine
Murray and Bruce Bain at Castlehill Heritage Centre. The happy event took
place today in what threatened to be rather damp weather but turned out
to be blessed with periods of brilliant sunshine!

This
was our first venture as a wedding venue and thanks to the planning and
foresight of Muriel, Catherine and her family it proved to be a resounding
success, with very positive feedback from all who attended. The event
was strongly 'flagstone' themed, a tribute by Catherine to her mother
Muriel's long association with, and dedicated service to, Castletown Heritage
Society. The
superb 'handfasting' flagstone which played a central role in the humanist
ceremony was commissioned specially for the event.

Drinks
and canapes were served in the Heritage Garden after the ceremony, with
guests mingling and exploring the floral displays and heritage garden
features. The sheltered garden courtyard was warm and welcoming and everyone
seemed happy to linger long into the afternoon. When the time came it
took Hamish at full volume to 'gently' encourage everyone to head for
the coaches to take them to the reception!

A great day was had
by all.

Amost 90 guests
were comfortably seated on the patio area, protected from the
occasional showers by a large canopy over the whole area.

Catherine
and Bruce prepare to take their vows

The 'handfasting'
ceremony, symbolising commitment for "as long as love shall
last."

The 'handfasting'
ceremony features the tying of cords to bind the wrists of the
bride and groom together

The odd shower
early on did nothing to dampen the spirit of the occasion

The
central stone circle, built during one of the flagstone dyking courses
run at Castlehill, makes an ideal setting for the family photo

Scottish
tunes and airs provided a sympathetic backdrop to the event

Once
the sun came out, guests made full use of the Heritage Garden to
mingle and enjoy a glass or two of 'bubbly'

A great day

The
grown-ups will never notice....

The access
path

Time
to go....!

If you would be interested
in holding a wedding or other special family occasion at Castlehill Heritage
Centre we would be delighted to explore the art of the possible. Please
contact us HERE.

Dateline: Thursday
12 May 2016

Exhibition
Launch

Our
year long LiDAR archaeological project investigation into the Bronze Age
in Caithness drew to a close this evening with a talk by Dr Graeme Cavers
at Castlehill Heritage Centre. Graeme presented a flavour of everything
we’ve achieved over the last year and in particular, what we found during
the fieldwork summer schools which ran between June and October 2015.

A
key part of the evening was the launch of the project exhibition and interactive
ipad app, designed to present our evidence for Bronze Age archaeology
in Caithness. The exhibition and 3D display will be a permanent feature
at Castlehill Heritage Centre, so do come along and explore for yourself!

The
results of all the the fieldwork undertaken during the summer schools
last year are presented in a formal project report which will be held
in both local and national archives. The 104 page report is available
to all and may be download HERE.
(File size is almost 13Mb)

Graeme
demonstrates the interactive 3D model of the Bronze Age Roundhouse
and project outcomes

The
permanent display of the project activities and outcomes

We are deeply grateful
to the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Caithness and North Sutlerland
Fund for their support to this project.

Dateline: Wednesday
20 April 2016

Castletown
Heritage Society AGM

Castletown Heritage
Society held it's Annual General Meeting for 2016 on Wednesday 20th April.
Chairman Roy Blackburn gave a comprehensive and entertaining account of
the Society's activities over the past year, the main highlight of which
was our archaeological project - A Window on the Hidden Bronze Age
Landscape of Caithness. Roy's report also reminded us of the diversity
and number of things we get up to!

Treasurer Jim Moar
presented the accounts which confirmed that the Society continues on a
firm, sustainable footing.

On completion of
all the formal reporting, Interim Chairman Bill Johnston praised
the outgoing committee for their efforts then took over the helm for the
election of office bearers for the 2016-17 session, as follows:

Chairman

Roy
Blackburn (also Health & Safety Officer)

Vice-Chairman

Neil
Buchan (also Technical Projects Manager and Webmaster)

Treasurer

Jim
Moar

Secretary

Jayne
Blackburn

Committee

Muriel
Murray

Elspet
Chapman

Hugh
Crowden

Liz
Geddes

It
could be you, if you would like to volunteer!

Following
the official proceedings guest speaker Lord Lieutenant of Caithness, Anne
Dunnett entertained us with a fascinating talk “Feuar, Tenant, Wadsetter
– An Insight into Land Tenure of Yesteryear”.

The
evening was rounded off with light refreshements.

A
good crowd of volunteers and members of the local community attended
the AGM

Roy
delivering his Chairman's Report

Jim detailing
the Society's financial status

Interim Chairman
Bill Johnston describes the one that got away

Lord Lieutenant
Anne Dunnett

Anne makes
a point!

Anne is steadily
building up her knowledge of her family tree

The 2016 committee
(Elspet Chapman absent from photo)

Photo:
Liz Buchan

Dateline: Saturday
2 April 2016

Rag
Rug workshop

The
mission of Castletown Heritage Society is to preserve the character, history
and traditions of the Village of Castletown and Parish of Olrig. One way
we seek to fulfill this is through the delivery of traditional skills
workshops, of which today's 'Rag Rug' making workshop, led by Clemency
Crowe, was the latest in a series of successful events. We
ran a similar workshop a few years ago (see news archive - here), and
it was by popular demand that we organised a repeat event.

Dateline: Tuesday
15 March 2016

Evening
talks stir much local interest

As has now become
tradition, the annual programme of activities at Castlehill kicked off
with a series of evening talks.

In
January, Angela Simpson's talk entitled "Flows to the Future - a Landscape
of Global Significance" explored the ecology of the Caithness Flow
Country and role of the new RSPB visitor centre in excouraging the engagement
and education of both local enthusiasts and visitors to the area.

February
saw Caroline Wickham-Jones present a well researched account of how modern
survey and analytical techiniques have enabled the dramatic topographical
changes to the shape of Orkney and the Neolithic landscape at the Ness
of Brodgar over the past 9,000 years to be charted and investigated. Her
talk "Underwater Survey and Changing Landscape of Prehistoric Orkney"
was well attended and attracted many follow-up questions.

In March, Muriel
Murray presented the fascinating life and legacy of James Smith Esq.
of Olrig.

Dateline: Sunday
17 January 2016

A
grand day out

After
the wet and miserable weather over the past couple of weeks it was with
some welcome relief that Caithness enjoyed a weekend of brilliant sunshine,
made all the more 'special' by a light dusting of snow and hard frosts.
Your interpid reporter seized the opportunity to capture some local views
from the top of Olrig Hill on what was a fine crisp and clear Sunday afternoon.
The 360 degree views from the OS trig point capture the landscape of north
and east Caithness in a nutshell.

Castletown
nestled at the west end of Dunnet Bay, with Stroma, Orkney and
the Pentland Firth beyond

Again looking
east, with the lower of the two communications masts on top of
Olrig Hill in the foreground

Looking north
towards Dunnet Head with Orkney in the distance, and Quarryside
in the foreground

To the west,
Scrabster lies sheltered by Holburn Head

Thurso, with
Weydale Quarries in the foreground

Taken into
the sun with the twin peaks of Morven in the distance. At 706m
Morven is the highest hill in Caithness and lies close to the
border with Sutherland.

Dateline: Friday
08 January 2016

Bright
and white for a fresh new season

It
has been a hive of activity at Castlehill over the past few days.
Jayne has been busy 'spring cleaning', Neil gave the biomass log boiler
it's routine service, and Alan, Roy and Muriel have been freshening up
the entrance foyer and corridor, the outside wall of which is now resplendent
following two coats of brilliant white masonary paint. Working the paint
into the roughcast pointing between the courses of the original flagstone
wall took a fair bit of effort but the end result is quite impressive.
There's always something to do!

Dateline: Sunday
03 January 2016

Happy
New Year!

Whilst Caithness
has not escaped a prolonged period of wind and heavy rain, we have at
least been spared the dreadful flooding seen in some parts of the country
further south. It has been a less than pleasant start to 2016, weather-wise.
From a rather more cheery perspective there has been a steady flow of
visitors to Castlehill Heritage Centre, keen to explore our new Winter
Exhibition and enjoy a 'warm-up' thanks to our biomass heating system,
which keeps the centre nice and toasty whatever the weather throws at
us. A big thank-you must go to our stalwart team of volunteers who man
(and woman) the Centre and feed the boiler with best quality logs from
Dunnet Forestry Trust!

Boxing
day opening

A
jovial crowd of supporters and first time visitors came along to our traditional
Boxing Day opening where they were greeted with a warm welcome, mincemeat
pies, and mulled wine. As usual the afternoon proved to be a great success
with stories exchanged, new friends made and acquaintences renewed.

A wide variety of
artefacts were on display as part of our winter exhibition which
depicts communications in the parish through the ages, from
word of mouth and the written word, dispatch riders, beacons on hills,
postal system, newspapers, telephone and fax, to radio, television, and
the internet. Much excitement was generated by the live radio amateur
station worked by members of our local radio amateur club. Contacts were
made with fellow radio hams in no less than eighteen different countries
world-wide - France, Belguim, USA (Texas), Germany, Lithuania, Switzerland,
Portugal, Estonia, Iceland, Russia, Azores, Poland, England, Czech Republic,
Slovenia, Holland, Italy and Spain.

Muriel, Elspet, Neil
and Alan were hosts for the day, with Alan once again working his magic
with the mulled wine. A big thanks to Muriel and her daughter Catherine
as they were up into the wee small hours baking the mincemeat pies!

The 2016 programme
of activities is starting to talk shape and will get underway later
this month with the first of our series of evening talks:

Wednesday January
20th 2016 - Angela Simpson from Forsinard with a talk entitled "Flows
to the Future - a Landscape of Global Significance".

Tuesday 15th March
2016 - Muriel Murray present the fascinating social history of James
Smith Esq. of Olrig.

Wednesday 20th
April 2016 will be our AGM where we will be delighted to welcome Anne
Dunnett, Lord Lieutenant of Caithness as guest speaker. Her topic will
be "Feuar, Tenant, Wadsetter - An Insight into Land Tenure of Yesteryear".

Also, after much
searching and asking we have now found a tutor for the Rag Rug Workshop.
Clemency Crowe has agreed to take a class on Saturday 2nd April 2016.
This is likely to be a very popular workshop - click here
to register early notification of interest to avoid disappointment.

All talks and the
workshop will take place in Castlehill Heritage Centre. Talks start at
7.30pm prompt.